In which a group of graying eternal amateurs discuss their passions, interests and obsessions, among them: movies, art, politics, evolutionary biology, taxes, writing, computers, these kids these days, and lousy educations.

Hell, for these fellows, would be faucets that require ever changing modes of activation. Starting with the simple and straightforward, then progressing to ever more bizarre, distasteful, and embarrassing methods. All while a vile fungal infestation progresses over their skin unless the skin can be kept wet.

Separate knobs vs. one nob vs. push/pull vs. twist vs. whatever -- these are mere details. Don't the British still prefer separate spigots for hot and cold water? Now there's a system worth complaining about. In this respect the USA is a much more advanced nation.

And don't forget German toilets. I think we have it pretty good here, plumbing wise.

At a friend's house one night, I had to ask how to turn on her shower after spending 10 minutes pulling and twisting all the hardware in vain.

Also, I once heard Dr. Leonard Berry, an expert on customer service, give a presentation that included about 25 photos of toilets in Japan. Very interesting!

Posted by: beloml on December 12, 2005 1:55 PM

Worst are the kind you find in movie theatres, hotel bathrooms, etc which are TIMED and turn off just when you've gotten soapy (like the toilets set on automatic flush).
When I had 2 fun carpal tunnel operations, I couldn't manage the pull-and-twist variety in the loo for a while, so I did most of my washing-up in the kitchen which had the old-fashioned lever variety.

Posted by: winifer skattebol on December 12, 2005 2:13 PM

Winifer, commercial timed variety have photoelements in them; all you have to do is to appear in the field of vision once again.
I specify them all the time; they're terrific as a water-savers.

The lavish American Club resort hotel in Kohler Wisconsin (home to four spectacular Pete Dye golf courses including Whistling Straits) offers as one of its attractions the, to my mind insane, diversity of Kohler faucets in the bathrooms.

The push/pull-and-twist types are the worst. Especially in the shower so that, instead of enjoying the hot cleansing flow, you have to put on the same clothes and shuffle out to seek help. It happened to me at a hotel -- an extremely humiliating experience, I must say. To admit that, for all your education and smarts, you can't figure out how to turn on the shower... I was on the right track, though -- had I pulled harder, I would have made it but I was afraid I'd break the faucet -- a hot water gusher in the bathroom would have complicated things further. I say, keep it simple.

Alexei, did it look like this? You do have to pull and twist the knob, but Hansgrohe balance valves have advantage of temperature comfort zone and temp. memory as well as anti-scalding features. As part of Raindance system (see user report here) it's unobtrusive, effective and technically perfect. Pile of dineros, though...

I have no idea how they did this, but in my apartment, they installed the faucet in my bathroom with hot knob being on the right side and the cold on the left. Even though I've lived here nearly two years, I scald my hands with hot water at least once a week.

Neil, check CA PLumbing Code: if contractors did the opposite to what's stated there, you're in luck. You can stop paying your rent until the lendlord remove violation and complies with the code.

Posted by: Tatyana on December 14, 2005 10:18 AM

You missed the foot pedal controlled faucets that laboratories use.

Posted by: rmark on December 14, 2005 10:57 AM

I just stayed in a hotel and had a hot bath and simply could not figure out how to re-open the drain to empty the tub. I somehow got it to close so that I could fill the tub, but getting the drain to reopen (a twisty affair) was beyond me. I checked out with the tub full of water!